As one of the main components of our final project, the digital web map created in ArcGIS Online is a powerful visualization of our findings. ArcGIS Online is an excellent tool for bringing data to life. To aid any users wanting to create their own digital web map, here is a breakdown of how we developed ours:
1. Georeferencing
Our first step in creating our ArcGIS web map was georeferencing two maps of Carleton’s campus, one pre-2008 and one current. We decided to use the free tool OldMaps which we went over in class. The site is very user-friendly and only requires you to select five points to georeference the map. To download the XYZ links of our georeferenced maps, we had to create two new Gmail accounts due to the paywall. After attaining the links, we uploaded both maps as new layers from URLs.
2. Creation of the Metadata
Once we had our georeferenced maps in ArcGIS, our next step was creating a CSV file. This can be done with Python or Microsoft Excel, but we recommend using Google Sheets. In the metadata, there should be columns for the name, address, and coordinates of the location. We also decided to add the function, status, and description. After gathering information on our sixteen different buildings, we downloaded the file as a CSV and uploaded it into our web map as a new layer.
3. Symbology and Labels
Symbols and labels are an excellent way to emphasize locations against the base map. For our project, we decided to have each building marked by a unique symbol based on its function type. These symbols included performance, residential, academic, and community buildings. We also decided to have each building labeled to make them stand out against the structures not focused on in our project. The addition of symbols and labels can be done in the left toolbar.
4. Feature layer
The feature layer was one of the additions to our web map that took the most time. We began by creating a feature layer in the content area of the home menu. After choosing the feature layer from the menu, we added three layers for points, lines, and polygons. Back on our web map, we uploaded the feature layer and selected the area tool to draw outlines of the buildings. Each of the sixteen buildings was drawn onto the map which was time-consuming but worth it for the visualization of our data.
5. Pop-Ups
Pop-ups are a great addition to making a map more interactive and specialized. To make ours, we selected our CSV layer in ArcGIS and clicked the pop-up option on the right-hand side of the screen. By selecting this, pop-ups for each location in our CSV were created and included every column of metadata. Since we did not want the pop-ups to be overwhelming, we decided to only include the title, description, address, year built, year demolished, and function of each building.
Conclusion
Once all of the edits of our web map were completed, we were able to create our story map. The process of constructing our web map in ArcGIS Online taught us the importance of user interaction and readability. By adding symbols, labels, pop-ups, and features to our map, we were able to construct a resource that visualizes our findings on how Carleton’s campus has grown and developed over the years.